Nowadays, the time of technological progress presents us with devices whereby we can have more the most precious resource – time for the realization of our plans.
Who would have thought a couple of decades ago that people could answer calls and messages with watches or there are actually smartwatches.
Most important smartphone functions moved to a smartwatch. These functions are: answer calls, reading messages and text back on, camera, mp3 (connection with different services like Spotify, Amazon etc), gps, contactless payments, calendar, notifications and others. There are specific functions too: Heart Rate and breath tracking, Sleep tracking, pedometer.
Now on the market we can find a great amount of offers smartwatches of wide range of pricing and different functions. Sometimes it’s very difficult to determine the choice. And, to make it easier for you to choose we decided to review four the most popular smartwatch models at a price range of US $ 100 – 200, to compare their performance and functions and examine consumers reports.
Best smartwatches under $200
Garmin Venu Sq
our rating
- Battery life - 7-8 days
- Built-in GPS
- Accuracy of tracking
- Water resistance
- Customization of watch faces
- NO Extra fees ( subscriptions etc)
Editor Choice!
Amazfit GTS 2
our rating
- Battery life - 5-6 days
- Built-in GPS
- Accuracy of tracking (there were complaints)
- Water resistance
- Customization of watch faces
- NO Extra fees ( subscriptions etc)
Fitbit Versa 2
our rating
- Battery life - 4-5 days
- NO GPS
- Accuracy of tracking
- NO Water resistance
- NO Customization of watch faces
- YES Extra fees ( subscriptions etc)
Fossil Gen 5E
our rating
- Battery life - 1 day
- NO GPS
- Accuracy of tracking
- Water resistance
- Customization of watch faces
- Extra fees ( subscriptions etc)
Fitbit Versa 2
This smartwatch are provided by the American company Fitbit, which specializes in smart gadgets. These model is not is not cutting-edge – it was released in 2019, but it’s a bestseller among consumers in price category $100 – $200.
Having considered the information we made a conclusion that it must get used to use these smartwatches and in that case we could reward them fully.
It must be noted that some functions stated in the description are available only with Fitbit premium monthly subscription (for example: detailed sleep tracker. You should also be careful with water because some consumers wrote that they was totally off after swimming.
It’s a good option for undemanding people who focus on monitor their physical activity and body functios. Buyers named Fitbit Versa 2 «A virtual fitness book» because it contains many decently accurate and effective fitness programs activity trackers, heart rate, distance travel, calories burned, Relax app (guides you through breathing exercises), movement reminders (lets you know when you been sitting for too long) and pedometer.
PROS
- Screen (brightness, contrast, outstanding outdoor viewability, turning auto screen off at night option, Always-On-Display option)
- Comfort strap
- Good battery (4 days of use before you need to charge it)
- A virtual fitness book (fitness programs Numerous exercise modes, training guides, activity trackers, heart rate, distance travel )
CONS
- No built-in GPS ( you need smartphone to have GPS)
- Require a premium subscription Spotiffy to listen to music
- Synchronization and connectivity issues
- No built-in speakers, you’ll never get any audio notifications and hear Alexa’s answers
- Your phone needs to be with you to fully use this watch. It is an accessory to your phone.
- No customization of watch faces
Garmin Venu Sq
Garmin is a world-wide known company specializes in the production of GPS navigation equipment and smartwatches. It was founded in 1989 by pair of engineers who worked on GPS-systems for aviation purposes. That time they wondered how to bring into everyday life among ordinary users despite the fact that such receiver could cost $10 000 that time. Gradually founders of Garmin came to conclusion that technology can be made more accessible.
Accordingly it can be assumed that Garmin smartwatches have excellent GPS-connection.
This company specializes in tailored trackers: for cyclists, divers, runners, golf lovers and even dog lovers. These gadgets are not just a toys, they are significant assistants for for those who strives to monitor their results in severe conditions.
So I can recommend Garmin Venu for any fitness enthusiast.
PROS
- Built-in GPS
- Contactless payments (with a supported payment network)
- Water resistance
- Can respond to texts (*IPhone – can’t (Apple limitation), Android can with texts responses that you can pre-make with the app and download to the watch)
- Easy to navigate and set up
- 7-8 days working on one charge
- Accurate HR, sleep, and run tracking
CONS
- in general buyers were satisfied with the purchase but there were some people who had:
- Synchronization issues
- Unexpected reboots and crashes
- *these issues can be solved with updates
Amazfit GTS 2
Amazfit is a subsidiary brand of famous contract manufacturer Huami founded in 2015 year. You might know Huami by a fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band.
Line of Amazfit smartwatches is very popular among consumers because of its decent price, there is no need to have monthly subscribe to have an access to all stated functions, GPS, durability and 2 or even 3 weeks on one charge.
This model – Amazfit GTS 2 was released in September 2020 and that’s good because updates settled very important issue such as: accuracy of step tracking, built-in Alexa, more longer battery life.
Main features that I would like to mention are: durability ( one man wrote that his truck run over them and it was only slight scratch on the back side. It is achieved due Gorilla Glass 3. as for screen here we have the curved 1.65-inch HD AMOLED screen of the Amazfit GTS 2 smartwatch, boasts a crystal-clear 341ppi pixel density, water resistance – buyers say about their everyday swimming practice with this smartwatch and good GPS. So Amazfit GTS 2 is a good solution for fans of outdoor activities.
PROS
- Water resistance
- Screen (durability, good out doors screen visibility, brightness)
- Built-in GPS
- Good battery (7 days of “light” use before you need to charge it)
- The built-in microphone and speaker (answer phone calls and perform other voice operations also)
- Customization of watch-face
- The built-in Alexa
- Heart tracker, SpO2 measurement function, sleep and stress monitor, A PAI value.
CONS
- You can not respond to texts with this watch
- Not very intuitive interface
- Problems with loading music onto the device were mentioned
Fossil Gen 5E
Fossil company was founded by the 2 brothers in 1984 and it got its name after their father who loved old-fashioned things. At the time in clock creating emphasis was given to their functionality rather than artistic work. Fossil staked on original design.
In 2015 Fossil Group decided to introduce into production smartwatches which were gaining popularity that time.
This model Fossil Gen 5E was released December 1, 2020. According to declared characteristics strengths of this smartwatch are customization of watch faces, compatibility ( IPhone, Android), fast charge ( about 1 hour to reach 80%), water resistance, many activity modes.
By viewing reviews and relevant information about Fossil Gen 5E I came to conclusion that this model might fit people who works at home or who can charge gadget every day, for whom aesthetics and customization are most important features.
PROS
- Water resistance
- Fast charging (about 1 hour to reach 80%)
- Nice graphics
- Notifications work good
- Customization of watch-face
- You can answer the phone by the watch
- Good compatibility with devices
CONS
- Horrible battery life (1 day) and Feedback received from customers after some months this problem is exacerbated (half a day)
- No built-in GPS ( you need smartphone to have GPS)